Clyde clenched his jaw, swallowing the storm of emotions Ryder's words unleashed.
Anger. Guilt. Fear.
Each one surged through him, threatening to unravel the carefully constructed control he fought so hard to maintain.
But the past dissolved as a soft, trembling voice pulled Clyde back into the present.
"Mr. Clyde…"
The Alpha turned, his piercing gaze softening at the sight of Ryley's half-lidded, dreamy eyes, glossy with unshed tears.
The faint tremor in his tone was laced with confusion and vulnerability. "Why…". His voice was barely a whisper, fragile and unsteady. "Why are you… still kind to me? Shouldn't you be… angry… at least?" Ryley blinked sluggishly, as if trying to grasp his own thoughts through the fog clouding his mind.
Clyde felt his chest constrict at the question. "What are you talking about?" he asked, his voice now lined with an edge of concern.
